Migrating to Mac: Shortcut Keys

The first thing that I had to get used to when switching to a Mac was the shortcut keys. It’s no longer Ctrl + C, it’s Command + C (you use your thumb instead of your pinky). Here are some windows key combinations with their Mac counter-parts.

Function

Windows

Mac

hint

Copy

Ctrl + C

Command + C

Cut

Ctrl + X

Command + X

Paste

Ctrl + V

Command + V

End of line

End

Command + →

+ Shift to select

Beginning of line

Home

Command + ←

+ Shift

Top of page

Ctrl + Home

Command + ↑

+ Shift

Bottom of page

Ctrl + End

Command + ↓

+ Shift

Forward one word

Ctrl + →

Option + →

+ Shift

Back one word

Ctrl + ←

Option + ←

+ Shift

Right-Click

Option + Click

Display App Preferences

Command + ,

Save

Ctrl + S

Command + S

Close Window

Ctrl + F4

Command + W

Quit

Alt + F4

Command + Q

File Info

Command + I

Option + Command + I for multiple files

Delete a file

delete

Command + delete

Rename a file

F2

Return

These should get you started. I think once you get used to the mac keyboard shortcuts, you’ll see that Apple has really paid attention to detail to make the experience as simple as possible, yet still very powerful, especially when you use the rest if the keyboard shortcuts.

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4 thoughts on “Migrating to Mac: Shortcut Keys”

SWEET! Thanks Devin. The rename function I was wondering about too. Most everything has been fairly easy to figure out. Still have not found num lock yet.

Display app preferences is nice to know. Mac OS will sometimes tell me a shortcut but there is a character I can’t recognize on the keyboard. In the application finder for example its the 1st character for the short cut “Hide Others”when click on “Finder”.